Container with a gable top closure



May 25, 1965 E. A. THOMAS 3,185,375

CONTAINER WITH A GABLE TOP CLOSURE Filed Sept. 28, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet lMay 25, 1965 E. A. THOMAS CONTAINER WITH A GABLE TOP CLOSURE ssheets-sheet 2 Filed sept. 28, 1962 Mame@ May 25, 1965 E. A. THoMAs3,185,375

CONTAINER WITH A @ABLE Tor cLosuRE Filed sept. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5/4 INVENTOR. 0&4 n. -/raM/as United States Patent *O "ice 3,185,375CONTAINER WITH A GABLE TOP CLQSURE Earl A. Thomas, Detroit, Mich.,assigner to Ex-CellO Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation ofMichigan` Filed Sept. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 226,837 3 Claims. (Cl. 2294-17)This invention relates to paperboard containers in general and, inparticular, to improvements in the gable top closure style ofcontainers.

ICoated paperboard containers are being used in increasing quantitiesas` fluid containers in place of other commonly used means. For a periodof time paraffin coated containers have been quite successfulcommercially. Now, with the advent of the thermoplastic coatedcontainers, there is an ever increasing demand for new and various sizesof containers.

As the demand for new and various sizes of containers continues toincrease, certain characteristics of the container must be modified togive satisfactory results. One of the problems that arose in theindustry was the difliculty in opening a heat scalable container Withoutcausing delamination of the opening surfaces. This problem has beenpartly overcome by the use of print-on adhesives and the application ofprotective surface materials at the opening areas. J

It is ythe object of this invention to provide a new and improved gabletop container which includes a sanitary extensible pouring spout, whichcan easily be released and extended by the consumers fingertips withoutthe necessity ofemploying an opener device when it is desired to openthe container and dispense its contents Another object of this inventionis to provide a container which includes a sanitary extensible pouringspout completely protected Within the container closure, and capable ofaccomplishing these objectives with a minimal material and fabrication`cost while` providing a reliable container of simple and ruggedconstruction.

A further objective is to provide a container with a sealed integralfoldable pouring spout that may be uufolded with ease into pouringposition while maintaining the sanitary quality of the spout.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, and from the appendedclaims, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a layout view of an inside surface of a container blankshowing the inventive structure;

FIG. 2 is a partial layout View of an inside surface of a containerblank showing an alternate score line arrangement;

FIG. 3 is aflat side seamed blank made from the blank shown in FIG. land showing the outside surface thereof;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a container fabricated from the blankshown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are fragmentary perspective views illustratingsequentially the various steps in opening the top closure of thecontainer of FIG. 4.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments have beenshown in the drawings and will be described below in considerabledetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention tolimit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on thecontrar", the invention is to cover all modifications, alternativeconstructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly `to FIG. 1, vtheinside surface of flat blank 10 is shown with a pattern of appropriatescore lines. The container 3,185,375 Patented May 25, 1965 is separatedinto three groups by staggered score lines 11 and 12. The portion of thecontainer blank below score line 12, as seen in FIG. 1, is the bottomclosure group. Y A discussion of the bottom closure is not necessary inthe Vdisclosure of the present invention; however, a` completedescription is given in United States Letters Patent No. 3,120,333issued February 4, 1964. The material between score lines 11 and 12, asseen in FIG. l, is the body group and comprises four side panels, 13through 16, and a side seam flap 17. The blank 1f) is defined on thesides by edges 13 and 19, and with the panels being separated by scorelines 20 through 23. Integral with the upper ends 'of the side panels,but separated therefrom by the transverse score line 11, are a pluralityof panel extensions which give the top of the container 1d itscharacteristic gable shape. These panels include a transverse score line24, generally parallel to score line 11 and spaced between 1score line11 and the top edge of the blank 1i). The areas between score lines 24and 11 define the roof panels 25, 27, and the end panels 26, 28 of thetop closure, while the areas above score line 24 define the parts of thecentral laminar rib, as shown in FIG. 4. Score line 24 includes theportions 24a, 24h, 24e and 24d, which correspond respectively to thepanels 25, 26, 27 and 28.

The roof panel 25 is defined by score lines 11, 2f), 24a and edge 18. Anintegral portion of the roof panel 25 is the outer rib panel 29connected therewith along score line 24a. The outer rib panel 29 isdefined by score lines 24a, 20, 30 and edge 1S, and is connected along`the transverse score line 3f) to the sealing flap 31. Embodied in theroof panel 25 is the triangular shaped fold-back panel 32, Which isdefined by score lines 20, 30 and 33, and is divided into two sections32a and 32b by score line 34. Score line 34 is shown in FIG. l extendingfrom score line 30 to the intersection of the transverse score line 11and score line 20. It is not necessary, however, for score line 34 toextend the entire distance. The reason'will become apparent when thefunction of this score line 34 is described later.

Side panel 14 has connected therewith along the transverse score 11 atriangular end panel 26, which is defined by score line 11 andconverging score lines 35 and 36. Score lines 35 and 36 start at theintersection of score line 11 and score lines 21 and 20 respectively,and converge upwardly intersecting at the approximate midpoint loftransverse score line 24b. The end panel 26 is anked by two triangularfold-in panels 37 and 38, connected Valong converging score lines 35 and36. Fold-in panel 37 is defined by transverse score line 24h, score line21 and score line 35. Foldlin panel 3S is defined by transverse scoreline 2412, score line 20 and score line 36. Fold-in panel 37 is dividedinto two sections 37a-37b by score line 39, and fold-in panel 38 isdivided into 'two sections 38u-38h by score line 40. Score lines 39 and40 are shown in FIG. 1 as extending to the intersection of score lines21, 11 and 20, 11 respectively. It will be shown later that it is notnecessary for these score lines 39, 49 to extend lthe entire distance.Fold-in panels 37, 38 are connected to a pair of inner rib panels 41, 42along the transverse score line 24h, the panels 41, 42 being connectedwith each other along score line 43. Rib panel 41 is divided into twosections 41a, 41.5 by score line 39, and is defined by score lines 21,24h, 43, and edge 44, whereas rib panel 42 is divided into two sections42a, 42h by score line 40, and is defined by score lines 2f), 24h 43 andedge 44.

Roof panel 27 is a mirror image of roof panel 25 and is defined by scorelines 11, 21, 24e and 22. An integral portion of roof panel 27 is theouter rib panel 45 connected therewith along score line 24e. The outerrib panel 45 is defined by score lines 24C, 22, 46 and 21, and is inturn connected to the sealing flap 47 along score line 46. An integralportion of the roof panel 27 is the fold-back panel 48 which is definedby score lines 24C, 49 and 21, and is divided into two sections 48u-4812by score line 50. Score line 50 is shown as extending from yscore line45 to the intersection of score lines 11, 21 and, as previouslymentioned, this complete extension is not always required.

Connected to side panel 16 along the transverse score line 11, is thetriangular end panel 2S, which is defined by converging score lines 51,52 and score line 11. The converging score lines 51, 52 start at theintersections of score lines 11, 22 and 11, 23 respectively, andconverge upwardly intersecting at the approximate midpoint of transversescore line 24d. The triangular end panel 23 is flanked by triangularfold-in panels 53, 54 connected along score lines 51, 52 respectively. Apair of inner rib panels 55, 56 are connected to panels 54, 53respectively, along the score line 24d, and are connected to each otheralong a vertical score line 57. Panel 55 is defined by score lines 23,24d, 57 and edge 55, whereas panel S6 is defined by score lines 22, 24d,57 and edge 5S.

To form a container as shown in FIG. 4, the blank in FIG. 1 is used;however, the blank is first sideseamed as viewed in FIG. 3. This isaccomplished by having panel 16 and the side seam flap 17 folded aboutscore line 22 until their inside surfaces contact the inside surfaces ofpanels and 14 respectively. Then, panel 13 is folded about score line 20until its inside surface contacts the inside surface of panel 14 and theoutside surface of the side seam ap 17. The inside surface of panel 13along edge 18 will contact the outside surface of side seam flap 17, andthese areas may be heated to activate their coatings, for side seam heatsealing or bonding material may be applied to one surface to accomplishthe side seam. The blank 10 is then opened into a tubular form,substantially square in cross-section, and the bottom closure iscompleted as described in United States Letters Patent No. 3,120,333.When the container has been erected and the bottom closure sealed, it isthen filled with the desired product To make the container top closure,the panels thereof are infolded into a gable form. During the course ofsuch action, score lines 5S, 36, 51 and 52 are broken by infolding thetriangular end panels 26, 28 towards each other. By the use of selectiveheating, the polyethylene thermoplastic coating is directly adhesivelyactivated on the inside surfaces of the outer rib panels 29, 45, and thesealing flaps 31, 47, on the outside surfaces of the inner rib panels41a, 42a, and on the inside and outside surfaces of the inner rib panels5S, 56. The inside and outside surfaces of the inner rib panels 41.6,42b are indirectly heated to a lesser degree. The container top is thenclosed as described in a copending application, U.S. Serial No. 122,571,filed on July 7, 1961.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 9, the steps in opening the container areillustrated sequentially. Starting with the container in the closedcondition of FIG. 4, the first step involves the gripping of panels 38a,32a, with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand respectively, andpanels 37a, 48a, with the thumb and forefinger of the right handrespectively. By pushing upwardly and outwardly, panels 32a, 38a, and37a, 48a are folded along score lines 34, 40 and 39, 50 respectively,thus resulting in the partial separation of the sealing flaps 31 and 47,and separation of inner rib panels 42a and 41a, as shown in FIG. 5. Thepanels 41a, 45a, and 42a, 29a, in this position afford substantialgripping areas which are easily grasped by the thumbs and foretingers.The next step is to pull outwardly and rearwardly, thus extending theseparation between the sealing liaps 31, 47, an inner rib panels 41b,4217, as shown in FIG. 6. It will be noted upon examining FIG. 6 thatthe gripping areas are extended further to the rear than score line 43,causing the panels 41, 42

to be formed into the general shape of an arc. Still grasping thegripping areas with the thumbs and forefingers, they are then pushedtowards each other. The resultant force of this inward pushing acts onscore line d3 in an outwardly direction, causing the inner rib panels41.5, 42h to separate from the outer rib panels 45h, 29b, respectively,and, as a result, causes the pouring spout to start distending as shownin FIG. 7. There is complete separation of inner rib panels 41b, 42hfrom outer rib panels 4Sb, 29b, respectively, before the gripping areasare pushed together, as shown in FIG. 8. A squeeze, indicated by arrowsL and R on the gripping areas, applied at score lines 20, 21respectively, as shown in FIG. 8, will separate the inner rib panels42a, 41a from the outer rib panels 29a, 45a, respectively, and willcompletely distend the pouring spout into an open position, as shown inFIG. 9.

FlG. 2 illustrates an alternate method of arranging the score lines on aflat blank form 10, The score line arrangement is the same as that ofthe preferred arrangement, shown in FIG. l, with the exception thatscore lines 134, 139, 140, replace score lines 34, 39, 40, 50respectively. The construction of the container is the same as that ofthe preferred model and presents similar gripping areas, but it shouldbe noted, however, that score lines 134, 139, 140, 150 do not break tolthe intersections of score line 11 with score lines 20 and 21. If thescore lines 134, 139, 140, 150 in FIG. 2 would break towards theintersections of score line 11 with score lines 20, 21, the grippingareas formed could become very small and difficult to work with on smallcontainers, thus necessitating the need for an alternate score linearrangement.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 could be used on containers of the gallonand half-gallon sizes, whereas it is preferred that the embodiment shownin FIG. 2 be used on smaller size containers. To illustrate the typicalsizes for the containers of the gallon and half-gallon variety, thedistance between score lines 20 and 21 would be approximately 5.500 in.and 3.750 in. respectively, whreas in the quart container, this distancewould be approximately 2.750 in.

I claim the following as my invention:

l. A container of paperboard or the like coated overall withthermoplastic material that becomes an adhesive when subjected to heat,said container comprising, in combination (a) a tubular body having abottom closure thereon,

(b) a gable top closure overlying said body and including a plurality ofinner and outer rib panels surmounting a pair of opposed inclined roofpanels and a pair of triangular end panels joined to the roof panels bya pair of triangular fold-in panels,

(c) an upstanding sealing ap integral and coextensive with each of saidouter panels,

(d) said inner and outer panels being heat-sealed together to form aclosure rib overlying said roof and end panels,

(e) said sealing flaps being heat-sealed together to form an upstandingsealing rib surmounting said closure rib,

(f) a first set of score lines on said roof panels to form part of apouring spout,

(g) a second set of score lines on said roof panels to form part of anopening gripping area, and

(h) a third set of score lines on one pair of said foldin panelsadjacent roof panels having said second set of score lines to form partof said opening gripping areas.

2. A paperboard container coated overall with a thermoplastic materialthat becomes an adhesive when heated, said container comprising,

(a) a gable top closure including a plurality of inner and outer panelssurmounting a pair of opposed inclined roof panels and a pair of endpanels joined to said roof panels,

(b) said inner and outer panels being heat-sealed together to form aclosure rib,

(g) at least one pair of said inner rib panels being adapted to deiine aportion of a pouring spout in an erected container,

(h) a rst set of score lines on said roof panels to (c) a set of scorelines on said roof panels to form 5 form part of apouring spout,

par-t of opening gripping areas, (i) a second set of score lines on saidroof panels to (d) a second set of score lines on one of said end formpart of an opening gripping area,

panels to form part of opening gripping areas, and (i) a third set ofscore lines on one pair of said fold- (e) a .third set of score lines onsaid roof panels to in panels adjacent to the end of the roof panels ofform part of a pouring spout. lo an erected container having said secondset of score 3. A blank for a container of foldable material havinglines for forming part of said gripping areas,

overall surfaces of thermoplastic material that becomes adhesive whensubjected to heat, said blank comprising, in combination,

(a) a plurality of side panels, 15 (b) a pair of roof panels connectedto alternate ones of said side panels as extensions thereof, (c) a pairof outer rib panels connected to said roof panels as extensions thereof,

(k) a pair of sealing aps connected to said outer rib panels asextensions thereof, and

(l) a side seam flap connected along one of said side panels.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS (d) a pair oftriangular end panels connected to ad- 20 gllltez ditional alternateones of said side panels as ex- 2362862 11/44 S-d gb 229-17 tensionsthereof, l e o am (e) a pair of triangular fold-in panels anking eachFOREIGN PATENTS of said triangular end panels, 225,010 10/59 Australia(f) a pair of inner rib panels connected to each of 25 said pair oftriangular fold-in panels, FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner.

1. A CONTAINER OF PAPERBOARD OR THE LIKE COATED OVERALL WITHTHERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL THAT BECOMES AN ADHESIVE WHEN SUBJECTED TO HEAT,SAID CONTAINER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION (A) A TUBULAR BODY HAVING ABOTTOM CLOSURE THEREON, (B) A GABLE TOP CLOSURE OVERLYING SAID BODY ANDINCLUDING A PLURALITY OF INNER AND OUTER RIB PANELS SURMOUNTING A PAIROF OPPOSED INCLINED ROOF PANELS AND A PAIR OF TRIANGULAR END PANELSJOINED TO THE ROOF PANELS BY A PAIR OF TRIANGULAR FOLD-IN PANELS, (C) ANUPSTANDING SEALING FLAP INTEGRAL AND COEXTENSIVE WITH EACH OF SAID OUTERPANELS, (D) SAID INNER AND OUTER PANELS BEING HEAT-SEALED TOGETHER TOFORM A CLOSURE RIB OVERLYING SAID ROOF AND END PANELS, (E) SAID SEALINGFLAPS BEING HEAT-SEALED TOGETHER TO FORM AN UPSTANDING SEALING RIBSURMOUNTING SAID CLOSURE RIB,